Random Rambling at night

5-4, Cubs win. 2-1/2 up in first. Yeah, first in a lousy division but, hey, it is still first and we will take what we can get!

After a few weeks, it is still cool to view the pictures from the trip. It convinces me more than ever to do it again next year. One thing we will also do is have a family vacation next year - just the four of us. We really haven't done anything like that since the Grand Canyon trip in '01. I mean, we have had other trips but it was always with a group of sorts. I don't know where we will go as of yet but we will figure something out.

I am tired and off to bed. Maybe I'll think of something tomorrow to say...

Pictures from the Trip

Here are the pix from the trip. Click a picture for a better view. The daily journal is further down. Enjoy!

Germanns go through Nebraska

Ahhh, Nebraska. Miles, and miles, and miles of...CORN!






The bloody remains of a bug on the window. Yeah, it's gross but what is there to do when you have miles, and miles, and miles of...CORN!

Mount Evans

The road up to Mt. Evans is the highest road in North America. It is located about 30 or 40 miles west of Denver. This kind of shows what kind of drop off one has to navigate around on the way up. It was very steep only a couple feet from the road.

And no guard rails...



Mountain goats in the parking area at the top of the mountain.





It was easy to lounge around in the thin mountain air. It was also easy to get winded - particularly after you had to climb about a hundred feet up from the parking area to the summit.









Here it is! Proof! We were there! WAY UP THERE!!!

Summit Lake

Just a little below the summit of Mt. Evans is a place called Summit Lake. This is one of my most favorite places I've ever been to. It starts with this lake then you follow a trail to a place that is a huge valley with a lake below it.



Yes you read it right, it is called Chicago Lakes! The valley is called Chicago valley! I think that there are some hills or something nearby with the name of Racine on it.




I think that this picture says it all. We could have spent all day there.

Church and a Game

We spent Sunday morning at Jacobs Well church. I took a lot of pictures. However, if you click over to the multisite arts blog on the right, you will see a few more that I am sure Bill will post sometime today. It was great seeing everyone and experiencing how they did things there. Much of it was the same with a few small differences.

We got to Coors Field a little early on Sunday afternoon. Man, was it hot! Alec is waiting for the game to start!

The view from right field where we were at...

Here we are at the game. We did have an obnoxious fan behind us. He wasn't vulgar or anything. Rather harmless, actually. But annoying. He had two kids: one a Rockies fan and one a Cubs fan. The guy was a Rockies fan but you could tell he was trying to be politically correct by sometimes cheering a Cubs play. Oh, did I say it was hot?

Arapaho Forest and Galbraith Mountain

Ok, so after the game we had nothing really planned. We originally thought about going into Denver and check it out but it was too hot for that (did I already say that?). We ended up heading to the mountains to cool off (that is a great benefit about living out there!). On our way driving through what was the Arapaho national forest, we came upon this sign along side some storage-type building. Folks, this sign was so random in the middle of nowhere on a highway in the forest!



What?? No Pancakes!!







We ended up at this place called Galbraith Mountain. Great hiking trails. We couldn't go on all of them because of time but this is a sample of one of the views. It was also nice because no one was really there. A nicely kept secret. Well, at least except for the two joggers we passed on the narrow, rocky trail.

Joggers?



Many of the large rock up there had resemblances to Pride Rock in the Lion King.
Here is Alec's best impression of Mufasa holding Simba. Just without the Simba...










A sign for a lot of mountain lion activity at the mountain...







...and Alec is scared. Gee, what a great impression.

Rocky Mountain National Park

On Monday we spent the day at Rocky Mountain National Park. Alec wasn't impressed with the energy bar but had one anyway. He was getting a bit winded at the start of the hike up the Ute trail on the continental divide.




One of the most cool parts of the trip. Walking up the switchbacks we turned the corner of one and came face to face with this fairly large elk! We were originally a little closer than this picture but backed off to sit on a tree stump and observe. I wasn't sure if this guy was protecting a herd or not. I think that those antlers would hurt! It ended up that there was no herd but another male elk just a little behind him (you really can't see in this picture). We just sat a while until he decided to move. He took his time...

Heading up to the top, this is one of the views. We were still below the treeline but were hearing some thunder. We kept our eyes to the sky as we pushed on.





Here is where we stopped - well above the treeline and a few degrees cooler. There was a lot of thunder around the area. We were tempted to continue on but I wasn't so sure with the lighting threat. This was another of my most favorite parts of the trip. I was at this place before, about 16 years ago, but this time was even better. It was cool seeing Alec enjoy it with me.

Yes, we really were there...

Home Through Nebraska

Here was more miles of nothing-ness in western Nebraska. Just no corn..

Anyone who has taken the drive through Nebraska must have seen this thing near Kearney (right in the middle of the state). It is called the gateway and is a "huge" tourist attraction. It goes right over the highway. This is it.

All I have to say about it is...huh?

Home

Arrived home today at around 12:30. There was a threat of rain for the drive but I think we outdrove it in Iowa and it seems to not have arrived here at home yet. Other than that, what can I say? Now it is "snap back to reality"! It is so good to see Mary and Katrina again. We did have fun but I did miss them. I guess the house is going to be noisy again (they said the house was very quiet when we were gone!).

And so now I have to figure out the ventilation fan replacement on our Saturn (anyone know an affordable mechanic?) because it went out (it was Mary's car - not the one I drove); and, just to make things fun, we have a leak on our washing machine (anyone know a washing machine repairman?). Then catching up on work stuff. I think I will just take a nap now and deal with it afterwards!

One interesting note about the driving portion of the trip: type of music played. Talk about strange reverals. Alec was always wanting to hear the classic rock songs of the 70's and 80's. He had those on his PSP that he brought. My iPod has all kinds of music on it, much of it new. It would be funny that when I played the iPod in the car, he would put on his headphones and listen to his classic rock stuff. Shouldn't that be the other way around? I guess not. I like new and old stuff; he wants to hear AC/DC and Motley Crue. And that his typical of kids his age - I teach guitar to a few who are only into that. I don't know if that is a social commentary on pop music nowadays - I just thought that it was an amusing observation!

Pictures coming later...

The Long Drive

Tonight I am in a Travelodge in Iowa City. Probably the best hotel the whole trip. Not much to report. It was a long drive from Ft. Collins. Alec is much better today - not sick at all. We got some rain just after Des Moines this evening with a lot of lightning literally striking all around us. I was considering going all the way home today. I have done longer drives in the past (like the 22 hour deal to Miami some years ago). However, those were done with other drivers. To be honest, I was getting a little loopy the last 30 miles or so. Almost getting hard to focus right about the time we arrived. Good timing. Tomorrow is a short 3 - 3.5 hour drive. Should be good. I'll have pictures. There are some real good ones. I'm tired. Going to bed.

Good night.

Rocky Mountain National Park

I write this tonight at a Days Inn in Ft. Collins,CO. Alec is feeling sick tonight. I hope he will be well enough for the long drive tomorrow. My guess is that it was a lot of thin mountain air that got to him. My other guess is that he will be fine tomorrow.

This morning we departed the Riche's house. They were so great. Everyone was still asleep so we couldn't say good bye to everyone. We then made the trek to Rocky Mountain National Park. What a great place! The drive was ok. One funny thing was that we needed to stop at a grocery store to get stuff for when we are in the park. So, we are in Boulder looking for one. The only place we saw was a Whole Foods. I have to drive long ways back home to get to one! We had a healthy assortment of food! Driving through was cool. It wasn't as crowded as it could have been. That is why we went on a Monday. We started on Old Falls River Road which is a weird, dirt road that winds its way through the high parts of the park. I took it to avoid some construction. The road is rather dusty and slow. It was alright. I was also concerned about thunderstorms in the area. After we got back to the main road we went to the Ute Trail which is on the Continental Divide. I took it last time I was here. I did want something different but given the conditions (concern the weather could turn on us), it was the right trail to take (since it was nearby). It was fun! We did have an abrupt encounter with some elk on the trail. It was cool. I literally turned a corner on a switchback and there he was - about 10 feet away. We just sat down and let him be on his way. There were others too. We made it up to above the tree line but didn't stay long. There was rain in the distance and we were hearing thunder. You need to get out of open ground when you hear that stuff (lightning kills people out there every year). After heading down for a while it cleared up. Figures. I think that it actually turned out as a blessing, though. We got back to the car and were originally going to try another trail. Alec was exhausted. He fell asleep in the car for the rest of the time in there. Naturally, the day was over. That's ok, it still was great there butI was getting a bit weary too. Now that Alec isn't doing too good tonight, I am even more glad we cut it short. I think that it might have been just a little too much for him. He has said that he would one day like to hike a big mountian. I think one day he might - today was just a start.

As I get ready for bed it is now settling in that the trip is over. I am now longing to get back home. I usually feel that way once I am done with whatever I do out of town - whether it is something that lasts a few days or a few weeks. Once I am done, I want to get back. I was even listening WGN radio out here tonight! Other than Cubs games I really don't listen to them. Tomorrow brings a long drive. Probably to somewhere in Iowa. I'll check in then.

The Day In 3 Parts

1) The morning was spent at Jacobs Well Community Church. I had a great experience there! It is so cool to be part of church that is basically just like home. It was the same big idea topic but done with a different service flow. They were auditioning a new worship leader that they are hoping to hire soon. Travis is a young 'un at 23 but very gifted at singing and playing guitar. There were some subtle differences but, for the most part, much resembled what we have back home. I could spend an entire blog on all the details! They are doing such a great job with an incredible team of people so dedicated to getting the service up and running! I really loved it here and can't wait to come back.

2) So, following the service we headed to Coors field to see the game. The Cubs lost 6-3, drat! Oh was it hot there! 95 in the shade. Thankfully it is a dry heat but we still had to take several occasions to leave our seat for the shade under the balconies. We did sit out there when some clouds came over but it wasn't like that all the time. It is a real nice field. It had about 50% Cubs fans who left a bit dissapointed. The division is tightening up so it should be an interesting ride to the finish in October. Somehow I still can't help feeling they will end up in the playoffs - don't know about during them but still, after last year, it is still a huge improvement!

3) We really didn't have the rest of the day planned after the game. Originally we were going to check out downtown Denver. But, with the heat, we said forget it! We ended up heading for mountains to drive around a bit. Very refreshing in the cool air. That is one advantage they have out here to get away from the heat! We ended up driving through Arapahoe Forest where it actually rained a lot. It was a nice area but we were getting bummed that we couldn't get outside the car. It is so funny with the weather out here. We literally crested a ridge of a mountain and like a faucet, the rain stopped. In fact, it didn't look like it rained on this side at all! We ended up, on a whim, at a place called Galbraith Mountain. It is a park with some hiking trails up the mountain. It was very out of the way and ended up being a priceless treasure. Alec already told me that it was his most favorite part of the trip. We hiked part way up and in (1.3 miles - one way and about 600 feet up from the trailhead). Great, totally awesome views! At some spots you could see Denver and beyond very clearly (maybe even all the way to Nebraska!). Turns out that this county has several of these - we will have to experience more when we come out here next. It was wild to see some people jogging up and down this narrow, rocky trail. God bless them!

And so, after dinner we are back here at the Riche's where I am typing this late at night. Tomorrow morning we leave for Rocky Mountain National Park to spend a day there. I think the plan will be to try a couple of the trails and then stay at a hotel off of I-25 in Colorado (don't stay in Estes Park unless you have a LOT to spend!).

As I said before, we have many pictures that will be shown later after we get back (there are some real good ones!).

2nd day

Hey there y'all, so ends another day on the traveling front. The first half was more of an uneventful day of travel. We left York, Nebraska and continued on our way west. It wasn't as bad as everyone said it was going through that state. To be honest, going down Rt. 57 towards southern Illinois is more boring (until the Shawnee forest). Western Nebraska is more open plains, just like NE Colorado which is primarily open space - quite simply that: lots of nothingness! We made it to the Riche's place where I met Heather. She is such a nice person; you instantly get along with her. Dave was out playing golf with Kerry in the 95 degree heat! Ouch! We settled in - we are staying in their basement for a couple nights. Alec and I wanted to get out to see the mountains so, right away, we headed out to a favorite place of mine: Mount Evans. It is the highest road in North America! What a trip! I really just love it there. You go way, way up there: 14,250 feet! Lots of thin air. We had to catch our breath a few times since we aren't used to it yet. There is one spot near Summit Lake (which is real close to the top) that is one of my most favorite places ever. It is called The Chicago Ravine. Easy to remember!

So we just got back a little while ago. I am kind of tired. We did take lots of pictures but must have forgotten to bring the cord that I need to upload to the pc. That only means you will get a picture show when we get back next week. I am guessing that it would be Wednesday but it is possible that it could be Tuesday night. We will see. Many have been trying to talk us into detouring to Mt. Rushmore on the way home. I dunno. The $'s would be running kind of short to do that.

Tomorrow we will attend the service at Jacob's Well then head out to the main reason we traveled: see the Cubs/Rockies game in the afternoon. It is going to be a hot one! Hopefully a better score than today's! The evening is still up in the air. Stay tuned for tomorrow!

Off to Denver

Right now I am in a motel room in York, Nebraska. Not much here when you get away from the main road. This was the first day of the road trip to Denver. Alec and I are going to see the Cubs and Rockies play on Sunday. This is the second of our road trips to see Cubs road games (the other was in Milwaukee - which felt more like a home game). Besides the game we will be, of course, heading for the mountains. I love it there. More to come about that later. For now, it was an uneventful trip here. Iowa was actually a somewhat scenic part of the trip. I never really expected it. Tomorrow, through Nebraska. Should be...fun.

Tony Simpson

Hey, here I am! At least how I would look in Springfield - land of Homer and Bart. Yes, if you go to http://www.simpsonizeme.com/ and upload an image of yourself it calculates what you would look like as a Simpsons character. This one ended up as me. Doh!

Hello, I'm Here!!

So, life has been one heck of a busy one lately. Hasn't yours? No need to bore with all the details. I did, through all that, read the new Harry Potter book which was, I must say, quite good. No I won't spoil the ending! The Cubs are in first, barely. I still play the guitar lots! :)

A former bandmate from 7-8 years ago made contact with me the other day - that was cool. What was strange is that I was looking for him too! Well, I guess Google is good for something! I'm all over it. Now I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing! Isn't it interesting to see how many people in the world have the same name as you? I mean, mine isn't very common. Just finding people with my last name isn't all that common; although, there is an actor named Greg Germann out there. You would definitely know him if you saw him - plays in mostly co-starring roles in movies and tv. Then I see people with my complete name. It is funny to see who they are (from med students to plumbers) and even if they have a picture (only found one). Well, I guess if a long lost friend needs to find me they have no excuse!

By the way, I need a new picture to this blog.